The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-25

The committee on bills and overtures re-
ported overtures from the Harmony and
South Carolina presbyteries touching the acts of
the last assembly, on evolution and the power OF
the General Assembly over theological semina-
rics and their instructors. The answer was
''that the assembly decline to formulate any de-
tailed explanation of the acts of the last assem-
bly,. any such statement. however expressed,
could only be regarded as a new deliverance
the same subject, which this assembly does not
feel called upon to make" This answer
formulated by majority of the committee.
minority also presented report which dealt
primarily with the jurisdiction of different
church courts and the manner in which matters
can be brought before the General Assembly.
The report was docketed for future consldera-
tion
At 1890 A. NJ. the organic union. or co-opera-
ton of the two great churches came up for con-
sideratIon. Rev w. H. Park. the author OF the
minimum minority report, after slight modltca-
ton of the minority report. signed that report
and withdrew his own
Rev. W. r. Coppidge. Of Montgomery, Ala,
offered a substitute for the minority report,
onmending harmony, but not union or CO.
operation.
Or. R. K. Smoot. of Texas. chairman of the
special committee and representative of the
minority side of the question, then took the
floor and made long speech against union or
cooperation. He attacked the majority report
first as to its claims that the majority of presby-
teries overturing the assembly were in favor OF
closer relation. He said there is not
imam IN an and Aa
bama-referred to by the majority,
in favor of organic union The presumption
was that the silence of the majority OF the pres
byteres placed them in opposition to union.
There is not demand In the church For the
opening of the question. The church was not
to follow in the wake of airy political or business
movements in this country. 'They say the war
is over, politicians North and South are fixing
their difficulties, but where is the connecticut
This is not a war church. This Is not seces-
sion church We hold that any man. no matter
whether he was born in Maine or Texas, be
taken into the fellowship of our church: Ii we
H. nb,,~n
time We met their would be argument,
and dissension. and alienation. Ours
is not Southern church. but a
church that differs from the Presby terian Church
of the United States in the Interpretation of our
common standards. The church and State are
united. 1t is said that we fellows are pes
tiferous old agitators because we will not unite
with the Northern church. now that political
differences settled. 1t is said the warts
over. Well. you have read of earthquakes
which, after they have passed, have left hssures
in the plains and the granite mountains. The
fssure in the plain can be filled up; but 1t will
remain in the mountains-whieh represent prin-
ciple-as long as the mountains stand. L mean
no discourtesy to any gentleman, but almost all
those preachers who have gone back into the
Northern church were the most rabid during
the war. 1t took to hold
them sometimes when the Northern church was
spoken Of The quiet men stayed the longest
and only went out when they had to; they have
not gone back. When the General Assemb
met in Columbus, Miss, in 1874 or 1873. there
much talk about reuniting that our COM
mittee said to the committee or the Northern as
sembly that if they would say that the political
deliverances that caused the split we're formu-
lated in times of great excitement. the commit
would commend consolidation. The North
ern committee would not say that and there the
matter rested. But you established fraternal
relations in 1882 Yes, and the Northern assem-
bly, agreed to such establishment the under
standing that they receded from no principle.
Then two granite pillars erected without
arch at the top bridge at the bottom, repre-
senting the Two churches showing where they
The speaker reviewed the various actions of
the Northern Assembly toward the uniting of
the churches, and then, referring again to the
majority report. said he thought the dictation of
the basis of union disrespectful to the Northern
Assembly, and said: They have too much hon
esty and principle to accept those conditions"
He advised the abandonment of q position he
had heard of. to the effect that the Northern
church would not accede to the conditions. but,
having proposed it, the Southern church would
have the advantage in the public mind. If you
love your Northern brethren you say you do.
don't put them in that position. He told OF a
Roman general who. after battle. having beer
congratulated on his victory. said. "One more
such victory. friends. and we undone." The
church of God should not play the politician
ought not to trick another. And this church
ought to be too grand and Christ-like to resort
such methods"
Dr. Smoot continued his speech this afternoon
in the same general strain as above. and opposed
cooperation strongly as he did union. The
Doctor followed by Colonel Livingston. of
Georgia, in behalf of the majority report and
during his speech he gave DR.. Smoot very sharp
personal scoring.
Presbyterian Church of the United States.
OMAHA, Neb., May 24-The fifth day of the
Presbyterian Assembly opened to-day with
Moderator Smith presiding. The committee
church polity reported adversely upon a trien-
NAL session, and the report was approved.
series of resolutions was adopted, proclaiming
to the Christian world the principles by which,
in the judgment of the assembly, practical
church unity might be realized. These
That belief In Christ institutes one body, mvs-
teal. yet real; the universal visible church
throughout the world consists of ali who profess
the true religion, together with their children;
mutual recognition and reciprocity between the
different bodies who profess the true religion Is
the first and essential step toward practical
church unity
The committee on home missions, through DR..
Hays. OF Cincinnati reported showing i. 400
missionaries. IT'S new churches, 138, $50 COM
municants, thirIy-five schools. and 212 teachers.
He strongly urged the raising of 100000 for
Dr.. Kendall, secretary of the board; Drs Schaf,
of Kansas City; Phraner. of New York; Turrows,
of Boston; Cameron, of Denver and Sheldon S.
jackson, of Alaska.
The assembly sustai ned the Presbyterians of
Genssse Valley. n Y, in the deposing from the
ministery of w. Ingedsby and of Geneva, n. Y,
in the deposng of G. n. Smith.
Majority and minority reports were made by
the committee on bills and overtures on the
test of Rev. Mr.. Baird, of Pennsylvania against
the action of the Presby terian synod of that
State IN officially encouraging proh btory
amendment to the State Constitution during
State CANVASS. The majority held that the
synodical act did not contrsvene the doctrine OF
the church. and suggested that no further action
be taken. The minority thought differently. and
asked that a date be set for trial. Pending the
absence of many commissioners, action was de-
ferred.
Fraternal greetings extended to the as
sembly by Rev J. S. Detwiler, of this city, a
delegate from the Evangelical Lutheran Synod
in 1856
board of aid to colleges and academies. reported,
showing thrty-fve institutions under the influ-
of the board, with property valued at one
million dollars. Donations amounting to $27,-
$50 had been received from /. 761 churches.
The subject OF consolidating the boards of
home missions and missions to freedmen was
troduced motion to appoint q commit
tee 20 canvass the feasibility of the
consolidation was lost The recommendation
of the committee on the board of freed